Early May.
A gentle breeze blew, warm rays of light spilled from the sky, illuminating the dense forest below.
Insect Man raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun, squinting.
Soon, he sensed movement beside him. A man emerged from the ground, his face pale and out of breath.
He looked extremely fatigued, with signs of battle on his body.
Insect Man glanced at him and asked, "What's the matter, ran into trouble?"
The other replied, "Yeah, I wasn't expecting there to be skilled Perception Ninjas in the Hidden Grass Village. I almost got surrounded."
He was the Earth Man of the team, skilled in the Earth Style Concealment Secret Jutsu. Ordinary Perception Ninjutsu couldn't detect his presence, making him the reconnaissance member of the Insect Squad.
But this time, while preparing to locate where the Uzumaki Clan survivors were imprisoned in the Hidden Grass Village, he was sensed by the village's Perception-type Ninjas.
This was the first time something like this had happened.
"No matter how we look at it, the Hidden Grass Village is a formal Ninja Village. It's not surprising there are Special Ability Users within. So, the Uzumaki Clan survivors, have you determined their location in the Hidden Grass Village?"
It had been almost a month since they learned that some Uzumaki Clan survivors were being held within the Hidden Grass Village.
During this month, they had been secretly sending personnel to make arrangements within the Land of Grass, such as determining attack and retreat routes, setting up traps along the way to hinder the Hidden Grass Ninjas during their retreat.
On the other hand, they also sent members skilled in infiltration to enter the Hidden Grass Village, to ascertain the village's layout, and most importantly, to verify where the Uzumaki Clan survivors were imprisoned.
This was particularly crucial.
"I've roughly pinpointed the location. But if I dive deeper, I feel like I might not make it back."
No doubt, it's a Ninja Village. Completely different level and methods compared to those wandering ninjas they've dealt with before.
The Hidden Grass Village alone was already difficult enough, barely manageable. The full might of the Five Great Nations' Ninja Villages must be unimaginably terrifying.
Against such a level of military might, ordinary schemes would be useless.
They would be crushed to death by the ninja forces from the front.
"So, it means they are indeed imprisoned inside the Hidden Grass Village?"
Insect Man asked.
"That's right."
"Since we've confirmed this, things are easier. The attack and retreat routes, which took nearly a month to plan, are all set. All that's left is to extract the Uzumaki Clan survivors from the Hidden Grass Village, and the mission will be accomplished."
"If only it were that easy."
Earth Man furrowed his brows, looking toward the distant Hidden Grass Village, barely able to make out the silhouette of the village's massive buildings.
"So, in the grand strategy, we can divert their attention this time."
"Divert their attention?"
Earth Man was puzzled by Insect Man's words.
Insect Man took out a map of the Land of Grass from his pocket, spread it on the ground, and pointed to a location on it, "This is where the Hidden Grass Village is situated. This is our attack route, while there are three retreat routes. We've already set up traps along these paths, so if they pursue us, we can use the traps to intercept them. And the most crucial element of our diversion... is here."
Insect Man pointed to a spot not far from the Hidden Grass Village, vaguely marked with a castle icon.
"This place is...?"
"Hozuki Castle. It's a ninja prison established by the Hidden Grass Village on the mandate of various countries, located on an isolated island surrounded by inland sea. The prison head is a Jonin from the Hidden Grass Village. Our next step is to feign an attack here, sending a signal to the Hidden Grass Village that we're mounting a large-scale assault on Hozuki Castle. To ensure the safety of criminal ninjas inside and avoid accountability from various nations, the Hidden Grass Village will undoubtedly dispatch troops here for reinforcement."
"I see, dispersing the Hidden Grass Village's forces internally is indeed a good plan. When should we proceed?"
"Tomorrow night. We need time to gather the personnel for the assault on Hozuki Castle."
◎
The next day, at 9 PM.
On an isolated island near the Hidden Grass Village, the shadow of a massive fortress could be faintly seen through the mist. That fortress was Hozuki Castle, a prison established by the Hidden Grass Village on the commission of various countries.
Once ninjas from various countries broke rules and committed heinous crimes, they'd be sent here for detention upon request.
It's said that ever since the foundation of Hozuki Castle, few prisoners have managed to escape. The prison is overseen by a Jonin of the Hidden Grass Village, who uses the Fire Style: Celestial Prison Jutsu on the inmates, ensuring they can never leave before the jutsu is lifted.
This place can be considered a core department essential for the survival of the Hidden Grass Village. The village can maneuver among nations largely due to the existence of Hozuki Castle.
Otherwise, with their fickle nature, they'd have been trampled during the wars of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
In this Ninja Realm, no country can resist the power of the Five Great Nations' ninja forces, cowed by their overwhelming military strength.
Therefore, attacking this place would successfully divert the attention of the Hidden Grass Village. To satisfy the demands of ninja villages from various countries, they simply can't afford any losses here.
A group dressed in black coats approached the island surrounded by inland sea by boat, with Hozuki Castle looming close.
They had already scouted the guards' patrol patterns and shift times in advance, making their infiltration smooth all the way.